{"id":1577368,"date":"2019-10-28T09:52:35","date_gmt":"2019-10-28T13:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/?p=1577368"},"modified":"2020-04-09T14:35:30","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T18:35:30","slug":"look-good-feel-better-profile-of-a-volunteer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/look-good-feel-better-profile-of-a-volunteer\/","title":{"rendered":"Look Good Feel Better: Profile of a Volunteer"},"content":{"rendered":"

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month<\/a> and we are bringing you the stories that touched us.\u00a0 The treatment and side effects for breast cancer can be difficult for even the strongest of us.\u00a0 In addition to fatigue, nausea and other sometimes debilitating side effects, patients may also lose their hair.\u00a0 Their skin tone and texture may change as they battle the skin irritation and sensitivity that chemotherapy causes.\u00a0 The hallmarks of treatment may bruise a woman\u2019s self-esteem and confidence when she is already fighting a difficult battle.<\/p>\n

Look Good Feel Better<\/a> is an organization whose mission it is to help women facing any type of cancer, feel more like themselves again.\u00a0 The two-hour complimentary workshops provide tools and techniques dealing with skin care, loss of brows and lashes and make-up hygiene. It provides women with cancer a place where they can take some time for themselves and connect with other women facing similar challenges.<\/p>\n

Over 10,000 Canadian women a year are helped through a Look Good Feel better workshop.\u00a0 Some \u00a093.5% of women felt very or somewhat confident after attending the program compared to 52.4% prior to.\u00a0 We recently had the chance to speak with a volunteer from Look Good Feel Better \u2013 team leader Madeline Della Mora<\/a>.\u00a0 Not only is Madeline a dedicated volunteer, but she is also a beauty, fashion and lifestyle blogger<\/a> in her \u201cspare\u201d time.\u00a0 She grew to appreciate makeup as a performing ballerina in her youth.\u00a0 Her interest in makeup and skin care and science behind them inspired her to start her blog and YouTube channel. Madeline discussed about why she volunteers and gave us her tips for women who are dealing with the hair and skin issues that cancer treatment may cause.<\/p>\n

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Look Good Feel Better Workshop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How did you get involved with Look Good Feel Better?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

My sister encouraged me to sign up as a cosmetic advisor.\u00a0 She works in health care at Cancer Care Ontario and she was alerted through the organization and knew that this was something that I would be interested in.\u00a0 I was aware of the organization before through ads that I saw in magazines and at Shoppers Drug Mart.\u00a0 Between my blog and the freelance makeup that I do on the side, this was a perfect fit.\u00a0 I applied and got in right away.<\/p>\n

What does a team leader at Look Good Feel Better do?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As a team leader, you guide the two hour workshop.\u00a0 All of the volunteers will perform makeup steps with the participants, but the team leader will select one person as a model and do half of their face.\u00a0 The model will then do the other half.\u00a0 This shows the group the signature steps to help them follow along.\u00a0 We have a great mix of volunteers from fashion backgrounds to people, like me, who have self-taught beauty backgrounds.\u00a0 I\u2019ve read about 200 beauty books!<\/p>\n

We are now working on getting more participant involvement in the workshops.\u00a0 Some of the feedback that we get is that although they love the workshop, they also love connecting with other women.\u00a0 We are leading their workshop \u2013 this is their time to shine and be inspired by each other.\u00a0 There are women of all ages and backgrounds\u00a0 attending and we work to be as inclusive as possible.<\/p>\n

We try, as best as possible to identify with the women as they are going through their cancer journey.\u00a0 \u00a0The thing is, that they are not alone.\u00a0 That\u2019s why we bring together so many women in the workshops.\u00a0 We are there, we are listening, we are an ear and so is everyone else who is attending.\u00a0 Everyone in the room is always touched by the stories.\u00a0 At the end, they are exchanging numbers, taking home an awesome kit of products that makes them excited again.\u00a0 Most importantly, we want to continue to help the participants community build and leave with a smile.<\/p>\n

Often the treatments for breast cancer and other types of cancer can change your skin.\u00a0 <\/strong>What changes to your skin care regimen do you recommend for someone undergoing treatment?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Although we are cosmetic advisors and know a lot about products, one thing that we start off saying is we are not doctors at Look Good Feel Better.\u00a0 Each individual is going to have a unique experience with their treatment.\u00a0 We like to ask participants what they are experiencing and what they would like to focus on at the beginning of the workshop.\u00a0 For example, a lot of participants going through radiation cannot put products on their dry, irritated, sensitive skin.\u00a0 Although we do provide many fragrance free options, we always remind participants to check with their doctor if they are experiencing any type of hyper-sensitivity.<\/p>\n

For general dryness, especially on the hands and around the nails, we recommend washing your skin with very gentle cleansers.\u00a0 Great skin care starts at cleansing.\u00a0 We are out in the elements all day and can slap on as many hydrating moisturizers as we want, but if we are not cleansing properly, everything that you put on top is just going to go to waste.\u00a0 We recommend and provide a cream, non-foaming cleanser that is non-stripping and non-drying.\u00a0 We also suggest using tepid water versus hot or cold.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget to cleanse and moisturize your scalp if you are in the process of or have lost your hair.<\/p>\n

What tips do you give women on how to change their makeup routine to deal with the loss of skin vibrancy and their eyebrows and lashes that treatment may cause?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

We have started re-working our workshops focusing more on the basics. Whenever we are sick, whether it\u2019s with cancer or any other type of illness, you notice it in your skin tone.\u00a0 Once our participants have cleansed their skin and moisturized, I encourage them to try a high coverage concealer only where they need it.\u00a0 We like concealers that stay dewy and vibrant on the skin.\u00a0 You don\u2019t need a mask of foundation.\u00a0 A pop of coral\/peach blush is always a great choice.\u00a0 A nice, natural lip is next.\u00a0 We have been using eyeliner more than mascara.\u00a0 Mascara can be messy, especially if your eyes are sensitive or your lashes are falling out.\u00a0 Our signature step is the eyebrow, although it can be challenging.\u00a0 We provide a great guide for our participants on how draw them on.<\/p>\n

As leaders, we are really focusing on cosmetic hygiene right off the bat.\u00a0 Your immune system is compromised because of the drugs that you are taking when you are undergoing treatments.\u00a0 This includes when to throw out products like mascara and how to buy them.\u00a0 \u00a0It is also important to apply products with disposable applicators.\u00a0 We want to help eliminate issues that may occur from using old expired products or harsh skincare.<\/p>\n

What changes do you see in participants when they walk out of a workshop? <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Usually people are a little timid even though we say it\u2019s the only appointment you will have at the hospital where you won\u2019t be poked and prodded.\u00a0 \u00a0We welcome the participants with big smiles and welcoming arms. \u00a0It\u2019s exciting for them to see all of the great cosmetics and skincare that they get to take home with them.\u00a0 When their partners and family see how great they look either during or after the workshop, it lifts their mood.<\/p>\n

When a woman loses her hair, it\u2019s can be so difficult.\u00a0 What tips for finding a wig would you give to a woman who may need help?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It is normal to feel very attached to your hair.\u00a0 It is good to normalize those feelings of grief when you lose your hair.\u00a0\u00a0 One of the things that we have been providing our workshop participants with is a soft cap.\u00a0 We also recommend clipping your hair down to half or \u00be of an inch long at a salon.\u00a0 Never shave your head with a blade or razor.\u00a0 It can cause cuts and invite infection and ingrown hairs.\u00a0 If your hair is falling out, we suggest wearing a soft cotton cap at bedtime.\u00a0 The first step of taking your hair off can be quite traumatic, but some women embrace it.\u00a0 We say be bald, be beautiful, be you.<\/p>\n

Book an appointment at a wig salon – many do not do walk-ins.\u00a0 We suggest taking a lock of your hair or a photo of it before it completely falls out and bring that to your appointment. Some women who work at the wig boutiques are former hair dressers and stylists.\u00a0 \u00a0They can fit you with the most incredible wigs.\u00a0 Synthetic wigs are recommended more often than natural hair.\u00a0 The price is more affordable and natural wigs are harder to take care of.\u00a0 They need to be washed and styled like you would regular hair.\u00a0 You still need to wash synthetic wigs, but they keep their shape.<\/p>\n

Modern synthetic wigs are now more breathable and are less sensitive to heat.\u00a0 Longer haired wigs don\u2019t last as long.\u00a0 They can get tattered at the ends if you are wearing hats and hoods and jackets in the winter.\u00a0 You can braid or make a pony tail with longer wigs to protect them.\u00a0 You should get your wig professionally fitted and trimmed so that it sits on your head properly.<\/p>\n

There are also face framers that you can make with your own hair.\u00a0 You can bring your hair to a wig shop and they can create a hair band that you put a hat or cap on top of.\u00a0 It won\u2019t be a full wig, but you can have bangs and ends and put a hat on top.<\/p>\n

Is there a particular story that deeply touched you?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

With our teen workshops especially, emotions are so high, particularly with the parents that come with their daughter.\u00a0 We have had a lot of older teens in our workshops.\u00a0 There was a girl at one that had no hair and she just looked fantastic.\u00a0 She had a great sense of fashion.\u00a0 She just instilled the most incredible sense of calm for the parents who was sitting across the table.\u00a0 Their daughter was clearly at the beginning stages of treatment.\u00a0 They were still in shock that this was happening and very scared for their daughter.\u00a0 The fact that this young woman was so confident\u00a0 with no hair signaled to the other participant\u2019s Mom that this was OK, that her daughter would be fine without hair and that it would grow back.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are bringing you the stories that touched us.\u00a0 The treatment and side effects for breast cancer can be difficult for even the…<\/div>\n
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